Chapter 40- You'll never be without me

"Kyle, I can't, I...I..." I stammered. Was he nuts? I couldn't marry him on impulse, but did I want to marry him? Did I want to spend the rest of my life with this boy? Of course I did, I couldn't imagine it any other way.

"Cali, I mean it, marry me," he demanded. I turned around in his arms until I was looking in to his eyes. The commotion around us didn't matter, the only thing that mattered was us.

"What's this going to accomplish? Why?"

"So your dad can walk you down the aisle, Cali, you just admitted that's what you wanted more than anything and I'm all for making your every dream come true," he reasoned. "You see, there's a chapel in the hospital, is there not?"

"Well yes but-"

"Well your dad doesn't have to travel far, only up a few floors, and he can witness his daughter getting married to me," I looked in to his eyes and they held every bit of determination.

"He only has a few days to live, Kyle," I stated as my lip quivered just a little bit. Kyle smoothed his thumb over my lip and it smoothed the quiver that formed.

"Marry me, tomorrow,"

"Tomorrow!" I spluttered. "How are we meant to plan a wedding tomorrow and all the clothes and the people, oh God Kyle you can't possibly think we could get married tomorrow!"

"I think we can do anything," he replied. "I've got everything covered, I'll plan it all you don't even have to worry that pretty little head of yours, you just stay with your father and I'll get this all ready," he explained as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"You think you can do it?" I whispered.

"I can do it, I'll do it for you," he stated. "I really want you to become my wife, Cali, more than anything I've ever wanted,"

"Me too,"

"Please say you'll marry me,"

"This isn't the most romantic place and the situation isn't spot on-"

"Please," he pleaded.

"Of course I'll marry you, I love you, Kyle, I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life with any other person," I smoothed his cheek as I felt another tear fall on to my lap. "Oh crap I'm crying again," I laughed slightly.

Kyle took my face in his hands and brought his lips to mine. They were soft and gentle and everything I needed.

"Yes!" He breathed in triumph. "Yes yes yes," he repeated. Suddenly, he jumped up from the floor and brought me with him, he took me in to his arms and spun me around while I giggled.

"Okay, calm down!" I let out through my laughter. Kyle put me back down on the floor and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Fuck yes," he breathed against my lips. Just as he was about to kiss me again, a nurse tapped him on the shoulder. I stepped away from his body with a small smile.

"You're blocking up the corridors, I suggest you wait in the waiting room," the nurse suggested.

"We're sorry, we'll go back," I grabbed Kyle's arm with a giggle and led us to my father's room.

Tammy sat there on the chair beside him, holding his hand and telling him random stories.

"Hey," she breathed. "Are you okay?" Tammy asked. I nodded my head.

I felt ecstatic because I was getting married. I mean, I was seriously getting married. But then my heart sank because I knew my father was going to die and there was nothing I could do. It seriously was bitter sweet, and I didn't want my dad to go.

"Can you tell me why you're smiling?" Tammy looked to me as she cocked her head to the side. I frowned.

"I'm sorry I don't mean to smile in a situation like this it's just-"

"We're getting married," Kyle blurted. I looked to him with a pointed look. "I couldn't help myself," he shrugged and a small smile played on his lips.

There was a deadly silence and in a matter of seconds a loud screech resonated throughout the room.

"No way!" She squealed.

"Shhh," I replied. Tammy used her two hands to suppress the sound a little.

"I'm sorry," she whispered in to them. "This is massive news, how...I mean..."

"I wanted dad to walk me down the aisle," I stated. "And I wanted him to give me away to Kyle,"

"Do you reckon he'll be up for it?" She asked.

"I hope so, we hope he will but if he isn't then that's okay," I shrugged. I really hope he could see my wedding. I prayed he would.

"I reckon he will. There's a chapel a few floors up," Tammy replied, and she beamed at us a few seconds later. "I can't believe it, my little sister!"

"I know, I know we're abit young, Kyle being 19 and me being 18 but I know it's the right thing to do," I looked to him and Kyle looked back. He nodded his head in agreement.

"As long as you're happy," Tammy smiled.

"I would say we celebrate but I don't think I'm up for it," I looked at my father. Kyle wrapped his arms around my waist and brought his lips down to my ear.

"Don't worry, we can celebrate another time, soon to be wife," he whispered. He then stood up tall and moved to the door. "I've got to go, I'm a busy man,"

"Bye," I said. he pointed to Tammy.

"Tamilika, look after her while I'm gone," he winked her way before leaving. Tammy smiled knowingly at me and I smiled back.

"He's really the one," it was a statement not a question. I nodded my head shyly.

"He really is,"

"That's everything," she replied as she looked to the floor. I knew what or who she was thinking of.

"Not everything, the love for a father doesn't distinguish when the ashes are burnt. We all know he's going to go, and I'll never not love him, I'll never abandon my father even when I'm living happily with Kyle,"

"But you can move on,"

"He hasn't gone yet, I don't want to think about letting go," I replied. Tammy nodded as if she knew what I meant too. I went to sit beside her on the floor and leaned my back against the wall. "Why couldn't we have had a normal life?" I asked.

"No life is normal, darling," a croaked voice came out from the bed. Tammy and I both jumped up from our seated position.

"Dad!" We both gasped. His eyes were open now, thank God, but he looked tired and I couldn't blame him.

"I'm okay, nothing a little nap couldn't handle,"

"Dad," I replied. "You're not strong enough to go home," he frowned.

"I feel strong enough to go home, Cali, I want to go home," he pleaded. Tears took over my vision again and I asked myself if I ever was going to not cry.

"You can't, dad," Tammy stated. Dad's frown deepened.

"Why?" His question made the room turn to silence. Tammy and I both seemed to struggle on what to say. "oh," my father soon replied. Tammy nodded to confirm it was true, whatever he thought, he was right. He wasn't going to make it to next week. "Come here," a tear slid down his cheek and we both made our way in to his arms.

"I love you, dad," I sniffed into his gown. His arms tightened as much as they could around us.

"I love you both more than anything," he croaked. "Okay, someone talk happy, please," he sounded desperate. He hated crying, he liked being strong. We both pulled away and I guess now was just the right time to ask him as any.

"Dad, do you want to give me away at my wedding?" I asked. My father cocked his head to the side as he wiped his tears away.

"What are you babbling on about?"

"I asked you if-"

"I know that, Cali, but why are you asking me this?"

"She's getting married tomorrow," Tammy replied for me as she was just as excited as I.

"I've been unconscious for that long?" His eyebrows quirked and I giggled slightly.

"Kyle asked me today, so you can walk me down the aisle," I stated. My dad smiled widely as he pulled me towards him.

"Oh, darling, wow, I don't even know what to say, is this what you want?"

"More than anything,"

"Then you go for it, I'll be more than happy to give you away tomorrow, I'm definitely strong enough for that, I'm doing it whatever the doctors say, I'll be there," he pulled me back in to his arms and kissed me roughly on the cheek.

"Thanks, dad," he wiped the stray tear from my eyes.

"Now enough of that crying, you girls, we're Johnson's, we can get through anything,"

"Cali won't be a Johnson tomorrow," Tammy reasoned. Dad smiled.

"She's still got Johnson blood," he replied. I nodded my head. "Now where is that boy?"

"He's gone to plan a few things for tomorrow," my father nodded in reply.

"He best take care of you," there was a threatening tone involved but what could he do?

"Alright, dad," I smiled at his protective manner.

"I'll go and get a doctor a sec," Tammy said before she went. I sat down on the chair and waited.

After an hour, the doctor had been in and checked on dad. Tammy and I stayed with him while we reminisced old times. It was good to hear the stories abiut Tammy and I when we were younger, and the happy days spent with my father.

Kyle hadn't been in to check on us once, and I was already missing him.

I got out my phone and went outside in to the corridor. I dialled his number and he answered after two rings.

"Sweetheart," was his greeting, he seemed distracted.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"I'm getting things ready for our special day,"

"Why don't you come and see us, dad's awake," I reasoned.

"Pops is awake?" He almost gasped. "Yay, I'll come in a few, I have a few more things to get sorted and then I'm all yours,"

"You're definitely all mine tomorrow,"

"Damn right I am, I'm all yours now," he replied, I could almost feel him smiling the other end of the phone.

"You are," I stated. "But I miss you so come back soon,"

"I will my pretty girl, I miss you too, planning a wedding is bad when I know you're not here,"

"I know, I just wish things were different, and I'm sorry for ruining your birthday,"

"You haven't ruined it, don't be silly!" He replied almost appalled for even saying what I did. "You're the best thing that's happened to me, everyday is like a birthday but I'm not aging every day obviously or I'd be as old as pops and your sugar daddy,"

"Alright," I drawled. "Too much information, ew," I cringed inwardly. Kyle chuckled the other end of the phone.

"You haven't cried since I left?"

"Why are you asking me that?"

"Because I want to know," Kyle stated. I sighed.

"Maybe," I whispered.

"Are you crying now?"

"I'm not an emotional wreck, Kyle," I rolled my eyes at his worrying.

"I know but it's a hard time for you and I'm just making sure you're not crying on your own,"

"You make me seem like an emotionally unstable loner," I replied.

"So you're not crying right now?"

"Does it matter?"

"To me. Answer me,"

"No, no I'm not," he let out a sigh of relief.

"Okay, I'll be up soon, love,"

"Don't miss me too much," I joked. Kyle chuckled through the phone.

"I always miss you too much, good thing we're getting married, huh," I giggled and nodded my head even though I knew he couldn't see me. "Right, I'm on my way,"

"I guess I'll see you in a few,"

"I guess you will, and Cali?"

"Yeah?" I replied.

"I'll try and give you the best day ever tomorrow. You won't regret marrying me," he breathed.

"Shut up and get here," I replied. Kyle chuckled and hung up the phone.

I made my way back in to my fathers room and waited for Kyle to turn up.

After fifteen minutes, I heard him before I saw him.

"Pops!" He came barreling in to the room like a kid. My dad opened his arms and let him in for a man hug.

"Alright, son? marrying my daughter I hear,"

"Indeed, you made a cracking girl," Kyle nodded with his statement.

"Thanks," Tammy interjected as she stated with humour. Kyle turned towards her.

"Tamilika, I was on about your sister,"

"Kyle you best shut that mouth of yours before I throw you out the window,"

"We're on the first floor," he reasoned and turned towards me before Tammy could utter another word.

As soon as Kyle came in to the room the atmosphere was lifted again.

"Right, I need to borrow this beautiful girl for a moment but I don't even have to ask because she's my wife tomorrow meaning she's legally mine, so..." He mumbled as he lifted me up in to his arms.

"Bye!" I let out as I was picked up and carried out into the open world. My father and Tammy smiled behind us as we left. "where are you taking me?" I asked.

"Here," he put me down and I found myself in a dark alley.

"Why?" I asked confusingly.

"So I can kiss you," before I could utter another word, Kyle put his lips against mine and I melded into him. "You know you have the voice for phone sex," I slapped his chest lightly as I panted against his lips.

"Alright, sugar daddy, calm down," he chuckled in reply.

"I have something for you," he dug into his pocket and produced a ring out from the denim. "I'm so so sorry I couldn't do this in a romantic place, but I'll make it up to you I swear, I know you want hearts and flowers and you deserve it so much and I'll give you the world but I want to see this ring on your finger and I just-" I put my finger to his lips to stop him rambling.

"I don't care, Kyle, I don't need romantic, I just want you, and that ring is perfect," I whispered lovingly against his lips. He smiled.

He took hold of my hand and slid the ring on to my finger.

"Cali, I love love love you,"

"I love love love you and all," he put his lips against mine again and I deepened the kiss. I poured all my love in to the kiss, I wanted to show him how much he meant to me.

I didn't need a romantic proposal. I really did just want him anyway I could get him.

"Fuck me, I've never loved anything or anyone as much as I fucking love you. I'm crazy, crazily in love with you, crazy for you,"

"I'm crazy for you," I breathed against his lips. "I love how whenever another piece of me has broken you're not afraid to pick it up and glue it back together, you're not afraid to help me,"

"You're not broken, love, you've never been broken, you've just needed someone to show you it's okay to be weak, that you've got someone to lean on and that's me, Cali, you'll never be without me," he breathed and cupped my face. I leaned in to his touch. "I think I've wished for you so much and so often you've had no choice but to be with me, you've had no choice but to fall in love with me when I've dreamt of it happening for real," and with that, I couldn't help myself. I kissed him again, and again and again until I couldn't show him anymore.

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The wedding is most probably the next update, yay!

School sucks bollox, but I have you guys.

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